AUSTIN (KXAN) — When you hear the words hurricane or tropical storm you probably think of damaging winds, heavy rain, the eyewall, and flash flooding. However, storm surge is often overlooked as the most dangerous impact in a tropical system.

Hurricane Helene's staggering storm surge inundated neighborhoods on Siesta Key, leaving businesses and residents with a long road to recovery.

Six coastal towns and cities on Florida’s Gulf Coast — which is especially vulnerable to storm-driven flooding — broke storm surge records during Hurricane Helene, according to data analyzed by The Post.